The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-08-03

what he said was corroborated by others.
The verdict was in accordance with these
facts. IL should be added that sorrowing
members of the family, who shortly came
on from the East to claim the remains,
fully concurred in this verdict.
People mt Sunderland who had been dis
satisfied with this result on account of their
feeling against Larrabee, arising out of his
vicious life, were soon convinced By the con-
duct of the man himself that they did him
injustice. He was, literally and emphatic
ally, a changed man. The profound sorrow
which he exhibited upon the sudden and
startling death of Mr.. Kinsman could not
possibly be feigned. His testimony at the
inquest, while given in such way as TO
produce decided impression of its truth,
was frequently interrupted by his great
emotion. From that day he quit his bad
associates, discontinued his business, and
turned to hard and honest toll. As the
place grew in population and Importance,
the better man within Samson Larrabee
grew with it. And his fortunes fourished
in due proportion. He acquired wealth and
public honors; he reared family in virtue
and usefulness; there was not n measure
for the public improvement, charitable, re-
ligious, or educational, that did not find in
him powerful supporter. His life Was
DtNOHu tue HtIlOu VI luIet-btOIt
and ten; and it is the simple truth to say
that he died lamented by all who knew him
or knew of him.
While the belief remained mistaken that
no crime was committed upon that memoir
able night at Larrabees inn, vet, III the
minds of those who knew the depravity of
the landlords character before that time,
there was a feeling that the whole truth
had not been told. The sudden and aston
ishing change effected in that charac er
seemed to them not explained by anything
that had been tolC.. AS time went on, and
the occurrences here related faded from the
recollection of men, few of the older res
idenis of the place we're accustomed to get
together, and in reviewing the strange and
notable things that had occurred since the
settlement of their village, to declare that
there was, after all, a mystery about the
kinsman affair.
They were right, although they were not
permitted in life to know its solution.
But few years have elapsed since a
vely aged clergyman, once settled in Sun
derland, died in city far beyond the Mis-
sissipp. The human heart and conscience
are not made for secrecy; they must con-
tde their SORROWS and burdens to other
sympathetic hearts; and to this good and
reverend man did Samson Larrabee un-
DOsoul uIS seCTet III VI us new
and better life. The substance of what he
said will conclude this history.
The frame Of mind and temper in which
Mr.. Kinsman found his hayward school
mate that evening was not such as 10 help
the earnest appeals which the good man
made to his better nature. Larrabee had
been loser Mt the gaming-table, and had
been drinking upon this evening. The
feelings with which he discovered the iden-
tlty of his guest, and heard him incl
dentally speak of his own prosperity and
happiness, were feelings of hatred and
envy. His heart never softened while his
friend continued to reprOve and entreat
him, nor did the eloquent and truthful
words arouse any sentiment Of gratitude in
his breast. When Mr.. Kinsman tainted
Larrabee almost mechanically took the
means to revive him; and while doing so
the discovery of large treasure upon his
person instantly excited his cupidlty. He
went TO his chamber and lay down, but not
10 sleep. Thoughts of the belt, and
IFS rich store of gold and notes, possessed
him. Other thoughts of ventures nj the
gaming followed. Then the devil
prompted him with the suggestion of how
easy 1t would be TO smother n life SO trail
as that of Mr.. Kinsman. and how certainly
the death of the latter would be attributed
w Cuu5tos ut ut1nOH uIuc buOIl
work of the man in that conflict. In the
still hours of the night, Samson Larrabee
had actually stood by the bedside of his
sleeping friend, fully prepared for assas-
sination and robbery. In his after years,
in spite of his changed heart, in spite of
the beauty of his life. this shadow was
ever upon him-that he had been a muir
derer in heart, if not in deed!
As he stood there, preparing to execute
his dreadful purpose, change came over
him. Mr.. kinsman was sleeping TRANQUILITY.
his benevolent face wearing look that was
almost a smile. The hands of the would
be murderer we're arrested by an agent
more powerful than anything of mere hui
man means. Conscience cried out within
him; sense of lis own ingratitude, and
of the unselfsh devotion OF this friend,
smote him keenly. Ho was boy aQan,
and sat upon the same seat with Otis kins-
man, studying from the same book. He
thought of how he, the older and stronger
of the two, had once protected little Otis
from the tyranny of large boy. And now
he was about to kill and rob him! He
turned and silently left the room.
Perhaps, thus far, enough had happened
TO work this mans thorough reformation.
In the morning, before the startling calam-
ity OF the night was made known. his con-
duot showed that conscience was at work.
But the discovery that he made in Mr..
Kinsmans chamber that morning plucked
him as with hand of iron from the bad.
and turned his feet into better paths.
If man ever died for man. he solemnly
said to the clergyman. then dear Otis died
for me. His life we0t out from the effects
OF his eager efforts to win me back. Can
you not IMAGINE how was awed9 The
visible finger of God seemed raised before
me in warning'